Shouts from the hall outside committee meeting, but no Manchester school superintendent announcement

MANCHESTER - The three finalists for city school superintendent were interviewed behind closed doors Tuesday night, but the Board of School Committee did not announce a choice.

Toward the end of the meeting, which adjourned about 10:15 p.m., shouts could be heard from the hallway outside the committee's meeting room. Board members refused to discuss the interviews or offer any hints as to who may replace Superintendent Thomas Brennan.

"The only thing we did out of non-public session was seal the minutes and adjourn," said Mayor Ted Gatsas, who serves as the chairman of the school committee.

"No comment," board member Roy Shoults said. Board member Christopher Stewart ignored reporters as he walked out of the room.

Each candidate was scheduled to go into the non-public session for an hour-long interview.

Just one of the candidates, Geoffrey Gordon, the retired superintendent of Port Washington, N.Y., was willing to speak to reporters.

"After two days of interviews here, I'm pretty tired," Gordon said with a laugh. The board members "were very fair and asked excellent questions."

Mark Toback, superintendent of schools in Hoboken, N.J., left his interview after about 25 minutes.

Vincent Cotter, the retired superintendent of Colonial, Pa., school district, refused to comment after an hour-long interview.